Two charged with cruelty to animals; other cases heard

December 24, 2013

The following cases were heard recently in Tyler County Magistrate Court before Magistrate John Roberts and Mike Griffin:

Dawn M. Kelley, 30, of 172 North St., New Martinsville, was arraigned on Dec. 13 on charges of cruelty to animals by withholding food and water, and recklessly intentionally mistreating an animal. The crime is alleged to have occurred on Oct. 18 at her former residence of 119 S. 3rd. Ave. Paden City. She is free on $500 personal recognizance bond pending a hearing date yet to be set.

James D. Yost, 35, of 2906 Ten Mile Rd., New Martinsville, was arraigned on Dec. 13 and charged with the misdemeanor offense of cruelty of an animal by withholding food and water and recklessly and intentionally mistreating an animal. The offenses are to have occurred on Oct. 18 at his former residence of 119 S. 3rd Ave. Paden City. He is free on $500 bond pending a hearing to face the charges. The hearing date has not yet been set.

Melinda Sue Rice of P.O. Box 50, Sistersville, entered a plea of no contest to altering or forging a medical release form for her child's return to Tyler County Schools. She admitted that on Oct. 22 she used white out to change the date on the form from one day to two. School officials spoke to the doctor's office and were advised only one of the days on the form was right. She was fined $50 plus court costs and fees totaling $160.25.

Sarah V. Yost, 41, 700 Little Church Rd, Friendly, charged with seven misdemeanor counts of obtaining money under false pretenses was scheduled for a hearing on Dec. 17. Yost is represented by Attorney John Gainer who had her hearing reset for Jan. 7, due to a doctor's appointment she had in Parkersburg on Dec. 17. She remains free on $1,400 personal recognizance bond.

Darius Raphael Woods, 44, of 1506 Circle Dr., Anniston, Ala., was charged on Oct. 21, with driving left of center. Allegedly having occurred on state Route 23 in Tyler County. He is released on a $250 personal recognizance bond, pending a pretrial hearing Jan. 8, 2014.

Andrew Calvin Brown, 68, of HC Box 201, Pine Grove, is charged with three misdemeanor offenses of destruction of property, trespassing, and public intoxication. They are alleged to have occurred on Nov. 17 on Eight Mile Ridge in Tyler County. Brown's attorney, Mark D. Panepinto, filed a motion on Dec. 11 for a jury trial. He remains free on $2,500 bond.

Douglas R. Okorn, 28, of 314 Church St., Bridgeville, Pa., appeared in court to face two misdemeanor charges of driving left of center and failure to maintain control of a vehicle. The alleged offenses occurred when he was operating a truck with a Pennsylvania registration on Big Run Road in Tyler County and had a collision with another vehicle. The collision occurred on Nov. 12, while he was being observed by an officer being left of center. He was placed on a $400 personal recognizance bond with a hearing scheduled for Jan. 8, 2014.

Bradley Lee Dawson, 33, of 714 Arvilla Rd., Friendly, was charged in magistrate court with four misdemeanor offenses: improper lane change without giving a signal, littering, speeding, and passing in a no passing zone. All are alleged to have occurred on Nov. 23. He was placed on a $800 personal recognizance bond. He appeared on Dec. 12 and a hearing was scheduled for Jan. 28, 2014.

Kari K. Temple, 23, of 230 Wood St. Apt., 203, Sistersville, recently charged with giving false information to a police officer with the intent to impede an officer in the conduct of an investigation, appeared with her attorney Justin Craft in court on Dec. 10. Temple is free on $5,000 surety bond and will return to court for a hearing. A return date of Jan. 28, 2014, was set.

Debbie A. Leek, 40, of 1490 Kings Ridge Rd, St. Marys, W.Va., was charged with two misdemeanor offenses of driving left of center and driving on a suspended license non-DUI. The offenses allegedly occurred on Nov. 12 on Friendly Hill Rd. in Tyler County. She is free on a $700 personal recognizance. A hearing in the matter has been set for Jan. 28, 2014.

James A. Utt, 33, of 411 S. 3rd Ave. Paden City, was charged with the misdemeanor offenses of no proof of insurance, expired registration, and driving on suspended/revoked, having allegedly occurred on Nov. 21 in Paden City. A pre-trial was held on Dec. 3. He was released on $500 personal recognizance bond and a hearing has been set for Jan. 28, 2014.

Charles R. Hagan, 60, of P.O. Box 404, Middlebourne, is charged with the misdemeanor offense destruction of property resulting in less that $2.500 damage. The offense is alleged to have occurred on Dec. 1 in Middlebourne at the Middlebourne Manor Apartments. Hagan, who is free on bond, has had a hearing date on the matter set for Jan. 28, 2014.

John Patrick Hennessey, 71, of Rd. 2 Box 161, Middlebourne, entered into a plea agreement on Dec. 17 before Magistrate John Roberts. Hennessey pleaded guilty to Non-Aggravated DUI, a lessor included offense. He was charged on Oct. 16, with DUI along state Route 23 in Tyler County. Upon entering his plea of guilt, he was fined $300 plus court costs of $300.25.

Kenneth H. Templeton, Jr., 29, of 87 May Ridge Road, Ellenboro, W.Va., appeared before Magistrate Michael Griffin on Dec. 18 and entered a plea of guilty to selling alcohol to an underage person. The offense is to have occurred on Oct. 21 in Friendly at Deb's Bar. Templeton was fined $50 plus costs and fees of $160.25.

Taryn C. Henthorn, 20, of 42 A Bridgeway Addition, Middlebourne, is charged with three misdemeanor offenses of underage consumption, obstructing/resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct, all to have occurred on Nov. 5 on Main St., Middlebourne. Henthorn, represented by attorney John Gainer, entered into a plea agreement of guilty to underage consumption and obstructing/resisting. Henthorn was sentenced by Magistrate Griffin to 48 hours in jail with credit for time served and fined $50 plus costs and fees of $160.25.

James D. Wade, 42, of 179 Woodburn Run Rd., Alma, represented by Attorney Kevin Neiswonger, was granted a continuance in his case until Feb. 4, 2014. Wade is accused of possession of marijuana less than 15 grams after a search warrant was executed on his residence on Oct. 23, 2013. He remains free on $1,000 bond.